Gravina: ‘We want Italy from 2nd half against Germany’ | OneFootball

Federation President Gabriele Gravina wants to see Italy play ‘with the same hunger as in the second half against Germany’ to reach the 2026 World Cup.

The Azzurri were eliminated from the Nations League quarter-final, losing 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-1 first leg defeat and 3-3 draw in Dortmund.

However, they were trailing 3-0 at half-time in the second match only to fight back to 3-3.

Italy to begin World Cup qualifying on June 6

epa10835406 Italy’s national soccer team head coach Luciano Spalletti (R) and President of the Italian Football Federation Gabriele Gravina attend a press conference in Coverciano in Florence, Italy, 02 September 2023. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

“We want to participate in the World Cup and we are aware that it is a complicated process to get there,” said FIGC President Gravina in a press conference.

“You do not earn qualification with history and memories, but by fighting for it on the pitch. And if there is a lack of quality, then you need that hunger to win and achieve your objective.

“I want to see the same hunger as in the second half against Germany.”

Because they are not making it through to the Nations League Final Four, Italy have been placed in 2026 World Cup qualifying Group I with Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova.

It has already started, with Erling Haaland’s Norway winning both their matches before the Azzurri even take to the pitch.

“It is a psychological handicap to start against a team that already has six points, but it must not affect our World Cup qualifying,” added Gravina.

Although Italy won five editions of the World Cup, the Nazionale failed to even qualify for the last two in 2014 and 2018.

The 2026 tournament will be played across the USA, Canada and Mexico.